Kenyan 'devil's cactus' is spreading out of control -- but tech is fighting back

By Stephanie Bailey, CNN

Updated 1100 GMT (1900 HKT) December 10, 2019

<strong>The "devil's cactus": </strong>An invasive cactus called Opuntia, or prickly pear, is tearing through the wildlife-rich grasslands and ranges of Laikipia County in Kenya.

Photos:

The "devil's cactus": An invasive cactus called Opuntia, or prickly pear, is tearing through the wildlife-rich grasslands and ranges of Laikipia County in Kenya.

Hide Caption

1 of 10

<strong>Rapid spread:</strong> The cactus is spread by wildlife eating its fruit and dispersing the seeds, but any part of the cactus that breaks off is liable to take root and grow.

Photos:

Rapid spread: The cactus is spread by wildlife eating its fruit and dispersing the seeds, but any part of the cactus that breaks off is liable to take root and grow.

Hide Caption

2 of 10

<strong>Injured elephants:</strong> Elephants snack on the fruit of the invasive cactus but can ingest sharp spines that lodge in their mouth, stomach lining and intestine, causing painful abscesses.

Photos:

Injured elephants: Elephants snack on the fruit of the invasive cactus but can ingest sharp spines that lodge in their mouth, stomach lining and intestine, causing painful abscesses.

Hide Caption

3 of 10

<strong>Human-elephant conflict: </strong>The relentless spread of the cactus close to human settlements is causing a spike in human-elephant conflict.

Photos:

Human-elephant conflict: The relentless spread of the cactus close to human settlements is causing a spike in human-elephant conflict.

Hide Caption

4 of 10

<strong>Waging a war:</strong> Locals have been waging a war to control the prickly pest for years, but with limited success. Mechanical removal risks spreading the cactus further if parts of the plant break off and re-root.

Photos:

Waging a war: Locals have been waging a war to control the prickly pest for years, but with limited success. Mechanical removal risks spreading the cactus further if parts of the plant break off and re-root.

Hide Caption

5 of 10

<strong>Dangerous spines:</strong> Opuntia is particularly hard to manage, due to its dangerous spines. They can injure humans and wildlife.

Photos:

Dangerous spines: Opuntia is particularly hard to manage, due to its dangerous spines. They can injure humans and wildlife.

Hide Caption

6 of 10

<strong>An invasion: </strong>The cactus has invaded more than 500 square kilometers of Laikipia County.

Photos:

An invasion: The cactus has invaded more than 500 square kilometers of Laikipia County.

Hide Caption

7 of 10

<strong>Bugs:</strong> Biocontrol is said to be the best way of managing the pesky cactus. That involves releasing cochineal insects that feed on the cactus, killing it off.

Photos:

Bugs: Biocontrol is said to be the best way of managing the pesky cactus. That involves releasing cochineal insects that feed on the cactus, killing it off.

Hide Caption

8 of 10

<strong>Inaccessible areas:</strong> The spread of the prickly pear is dense in many areas, making them inaccessible by foot or vehicle.

Photos:

Inaccessible areas: The spread of the prickly pear is dense in many areas, making them inaccessible by foot or vehicle.

Hide Caption

9 of 10

<strong>Drones:</strong> Drones are being used to map the spread of the invasive cactus and the success of biocontrol efforts.

Photos:

Drones: Drones are being used to map the spread of the invasive cactus and the success of biocontrol efforts.

Hide Caption

10 of 10

(CNN)A hungry elephant roams the grasslands of Laikipia County in Kenya until he spots a sweet, yet problematic, snack: the fruit of an invasive cactus.

The endangered mammal stops and eats, but also ingests sharp spines that lodge in his mouth, stomach lining and intestine. Not only can this cause painful abscesses, but the relentless spread of the cactus here is attracting more elephants closer to human settlements where the prickly pests grow, causing a spike in human-elephant conflict.